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Stanley decided to go ahead with his quirky fundraisers after reading another “depressing” article in a national newspaper which suggested “life is over” once you’re in a care home.

As well as raising money for research, Stanley aims to raise awareness for all the “wonderful” care homes, including Stanley Wilson Lodge in Saffron Walden, which he says he has had a great experience with over the last few years.

Stanley says living at Wilson Lodge in Saffron Walden has been a great experience with over the last few years. (Image: David Johnson)

His wife Agnes sadly died with vascular dementia in September 2014, age 91, after being diagnosed 10 years earlier, and lived in the care home before she passed away.

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Desperate to stay with his wife, Stanley, who spent his life working as a night printer at The Daily Sketch, decided he would move into the home as well, living just upstairs so he could see her every day.

Stanley Bennett with his late wife Agnes on their 72nd wedding anniversary

Stanley, who still lives in Stanley Wilson Lodge, where the pair celebrated their 72nd anniversary, said: “I kept reading articles that suggested the quality of care in homes is always very poor and life is over once you’re there.

“But I could not fault the help my wife received, and I’ve been given a new lease of life while living there. And now I’m giving something back.

“I want to get out there and spread the word about both Alzheimer’s Research UK’s groundbreaking work, the wonderful care home I live in and most of all I want to make people smile over Christmas time.”